Ladies and gents, buckle up, because we’ve got some breaking news hotter than a steel chair to the noggin! AEW has officially bid farewell to a slew of performers, many of whom you might recognize from their WWE days. They’ve all been unceremoniously yanked from the roster page like an unwanted tag partner. Let’s dive into the chaos, shall we?
First up, we have the legends—Arn Anderson and Mark Henry. Yes, you read that right. The same men who have bodyslammed more opponents than I’ve had cheeseburgers are out the door. Henry spilled the beans on “Busted Open Radio,” saying his contract expired on May 28. Meanwhile, Anderson dropped the news on his “ARN” podcast that his deal expired on May 31. And just like that, folks, they’re out faster than a heel turn at WrestleMania.
Next on the chopping block is Jake Hager. This guy’s been with AEW since day one, riding shotgun with Chris Jericho in The Inner Circle and The Jericho Appreciation Society. But now, Hager’s gone, poof, like a magic trick gone wrong. His future is as clear as a foggy night in London, especially since he hung up his MMA gloves back in September 2023.
And speaking of MMA, Paige VanZant has also been shown the exit. She’s wrestled as many matches as I’ve won beauty pageants—one. Despite being on the roster page since March 2022, VanZant is now a ghost, reportedly not seen or heard from by her trainer Gangrel since her debut match at AEW Double or Nothing 2022.
So there you have it, folks. AEW’s roster is looking leaner, meaner, and a whole lot different. Stay tuned, because in the world of wrestling, the only thing that’s predictable is unpredictability.